Above the Galaxy
Chapter 415 - 265: Ghost Prison!

Chapter 415: Chapter 265: Ghost Prison!

Light drizzle on the street made everything as soft as butter; from afar, the grass seemed close but was nowhere to be seen.

The fine snow melted, and new buds began to sprout. Swallows returned, and trees bloomed.

The wind was gentle and so were the waters, all signaling early spring.

At last, Tang Fei saw Shen Xinglan, their first meeting since returning from the Burial Land.

Tang Fei immediately rushed forward, asking with concern, "Brother, are you alright? I’ve been constantly worried about your health... but I myself haven’t been well either, hence couldn’t come to see you."

That, of course, was a lie. Tang Fei’s health had been fully restored since he broke through to the third layer of the Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill, making him even more robust than before.

But he had no reason to visit Shen Xinglan, not even a message of greeting.

After all, he knew what Shen Xinglan had done, and Shen Xinglan also knew that Tang Fei knew...

Just a minimal show of concern was enough; there was no need for overexertion.

Dressed in white robes, Shen Xinglan’s face radiant as if carved from jade, lightly said with a faint smile, "It’s alright, as long as we are both well."

"How can that be alright?" Tang Fei, looking serious, objected, "If not for brother’s sword striking off Fen Kuai’s head, I’d probably be dead in the Burial Land... Brother, you saved my life; how could I only care about myself and not think of you?"

Looking at Shen Xinglan, still graceful and commanding but somehow different.

Exactly what was different, he couldn’t quite say.

Shen Xinglan glanced meaningfully at Tang Fei and said, "Thank you for your concern, brother."

Xuanyuan Mingjing studied Shen Xinglan intently, a flicker of light in his eyes, and asked, "Broken through?"

Kneeling respectfully on the ground, Shen Xinglan replied, "I’m grateful for Master’s teachings, for I have finally broken through and stepped into the Grandmaster Realm."

Tang Fei was astonished. Shen Xinglan had become a Grandmaster?

Just like that, how could you break through and step into the Grandmaster Realm without telling me? Didn’t you consider my feelings?

You might as well have killed me...

Tang Fei’s feelings were typical—afraid his brother wouldn’t suffer enough, fearing his brother might get too easy on himself.

Every extra piece of meat his brother ate would make his heart bleed.

Shen Xinglan stepping into the Grandmaster Realm infinitely widened the gap between them.

When would he ever get his revenge?

He was tired and didn’t want to hate anymore.

Xuanyuan Mingjing looked relieved and said, "Entering the Grandmaster Realm before twenty is unprecedented. You are destined to be the foremost among the Cultivation World."

"Master, all my achievements today are due to your nurturing," Shen Xinglan knelt on the ground, his spine erect and face full of piety.

Xuanyuan Mingjing waved his hand dismissively and said, "You possess rare talent and extraordinary abilities. It was for this reason that I went to the Shen Family myself to take you as my disciple, fearing you might unwittingly stray from the right path and destroy such a promising seed."

"Cultivation is hard, and understanding the Dao is even harder. The fact you have been able to stay humble, diligent, and reach this position step by step is truly commendable."

"Only after entering the Mountain Gate does one realize the vastness of the universe. As for the path of cultivation, I am just starting. Please continue to guide, scold, and enlighten me," Shen Xinglan replied.

"That you think this way proves you have truly understood the Dao," Xuanyuan Mingjing said, "From today onwards, you no longer need to come to the grape courtyard, I have nothing left to teach you."

Shen Xinglan was shocked and exclaimed, "Master..."

"Body Refining, Energy Control, Tongyou, Mastery, Grandmaster. The Grandmaster Realm is the pinnacle of the Mortal Realm."

"Teachers lead the way, but it is up to the individual to cultivate. This phrase applies at the beginning of cultivation and equally at its end. The first five realms are skills, and after those, it becomes art."

"After entering the Grandmaster Realm, it is time to seek and comprehend the Dao. Although Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster differ by only a word, the difference between them is as vast as that between heaven and earth."

"Among the thirty-six hundred paths of cultivation, each person clings to a single root of understanding. My path isn’t suitable for you, nor for anyone else. Starting today, you will begin to search for your own reason."

Xing Lan prostrated himself again and spoke in a deep voice, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will keep it in my heart. Starting today, I will seek and comprehend the path, and I shall not disappoint you."

"I have high expectations of you, go forth and strive."

"Yes."

After Xing Lan had firmly kowtowed three times on the ground, he got up and walked toward the outside.

Decisive, resolute, a face full of determination.

Tang Fei watched Xing Lan’s departing figure with full envy, feeling somewhat angry...

He hadn’t even said goodbye, what an impolite guy.

Xuanyuan Mingjing picked up the teacup and delicately sipped his tea, then asked aloud, "What do you think?"

"There’s specialization in any art, and knowledge comes sequentially. If my senior brother can accomplish it, so can I," Tang Fei said with a serious expression, his face earnest.

"I don’t doubt that," Xuanyuan Mingjing spoke, "When you first joined New Star, you were merely at the superior level of controlling qi. In one year’s time, you’ve reached the middle stage of Tongyou. Breaking through realms in six months, advancing three levels in a year... Such advancement speed is rare among common folk."

"And your cultivation technique contains great mysteries. The Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill, although slow in progression, is immensely powerful. If it hadn’t been for your critical breakthrough of the triple barriers, capturing the power of those three dragons and three elephants, even Xing Lan would have found it difficult to behead that Grandmaster, wouldn’t he?"

"I was merely assisting my senior brother, playing a supportive role..."

"You needn’t belittle yourself; I’ve felt your fist power and know its destructive capacity. The Netherworld Scroll is a unique skill in this world, each sword possessing the method to seize the creation of heaven and earth, unpredictable like ghosts and gods... It’s a pity, you’ve only comprehended the first three swords."

"I am foolish, please teach me more, Master."

"You are not foolish. Foolish people don’t qualify to be my disciples."

"..."

Xuanyuan Mingjing looked at Tang Fei and asked in a deep voice, "Let me ask you, do you want to catch up to your senior brother?"

"Yes," Tang Fei answered without hesitation.

He did want to, very much so, more than anyone else.

Because he knew, power was the ultimate truth.

His identity could be exposed at any time; the Royal Family wanted to kill him, so did the Shen Family.

Even Xing Lan might want to kill him...

The last time he hadn’t killed him was because he felt indebted to him.

By the time Xing Lan would challenge him as a Grandmaster, where would he have any chance of survival?

To keep living, he needed to grow stronger, stronger than Xing Lan, stronger than everyone.

Living without security was unbearably tough.

"Then follow me into the Ghost Prison."

"Ghost Prison?"

"The Netherworld Scroll follows the path of extreme yin and malice. Once you’ve slaughtered all the sinister beings in Ghost Prison, perhaps, you will find your own path."

"Yes, Master," Tang Fei replied solemnly.

He didn’t know where the Ghost Prison was, nor what the Ghost Realm was.

But, Master had said, "then follow me into the Ghost Prison"...

Master would take him along.

That was enough.